Energy storing suspension components having retention recesses

Abstract

Energy storing suspension components for use in suspension systems for wheeled vehicles and trailers, and suspension systems incorporating such energy storing suspension components are disclosed. The energy storing suspension components include an axle seat portion, a first end, and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end. The axle seat portion includes first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, the recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly.

We claim: 
     
       1. An energy storing suspension component comprising:
 an axle seat portion, the energy storing suspension component further comprising a first end and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end; 
 the axle seat portion including opposed first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses with each recess being spaced from a center of the axle seat portion and with the opposed one of the first and second surfaces having at least one recess; 
 the at least two spaced apart recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component that is connected to the energy storing suspension component when coupled within an axle coupling assembly; and 
 the first and second surfaces of the axle seat portion that are opposed to the location of the recesses being flush with or recessed relative to a surrounding portion of the respective opposed surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the first end of the energy storing suspension component further comprises a coupling portion. 
     
     
       3. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 2  wherein the coupling portion of the first end further comprises an eye. 
     
     
       4. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the energy storing suspension component further comprises a second end and a second limb extending between the axle seat portion and the second end. 
     
     
       5. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 4  wherein the second end is coupled to an air spring. 
     
     
       6. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 5  wherein the air spring is coupled to a coupling bracket. 
     
     
       7. A suspension system comprising:
 an axle coupling assembly further comprising a first coupling pad and a second coupling pad; 
 an energy storing suspension component having an axle seat portion, the energy storing suspension component further comprising a first end and a first limb extending between the axle seat portion and the first end; 
 the energy storing suspension component being disposed between the first and second coupling pads of the axle coupling assembly; 
 the axle seat portion of the energy storing suspension component including opposed first and second surfaces with at least one of the first and second surfaces having at least two spaced apart recesses that are spaced from a center of the axle seat portion, and with the opposed one of the first and second surfaces having at least one recess; 
 the at least two spaced apart recesses being configured to receive respective protrusions extending from at least one suspension component within the suspension system that is connected to the energy storing suspension component by the axle coupling assembly; and 
 the first and second surfaces of the axle seat portion that are opposed to the location of the recesses being flush with or recessed relative to respective surrounding portions of the opposed first and second surfaces. 
 
     
     
       8. The suspension system of  claim 7  wherein the protrusions that engage the at least two spaced apart recesses in the energy storing suspension component extend from the at least one suspension component, with the at least one suspension component being located above or below the axle seat portion of the energy storing suspension component. 
     
     
       9. The suspension system of  claim 7  wherein the at least two spaced apart recesses are in the second surface and the protrusions that engage the at least two spaced apart recesses in the second surface extend from the second coupling pad. 
     
     
       10. The suspension system of  claim 7  wherein the energy storing suspension component further comprises a second end and a second limb extending between the axle seat portion and the second end. 
     
     
       11. The suspension system of  claim 10  wherein the second end is coupled to an air spring. 
     
     
       12. The suspension system of  claim 7  wherein the first end of the first limb further comprises a coupling portion. 
     
     
       13. The suspension system of  claim 12  wherein the coupling portion of the first end further comprises an eye. 
     
     
       14. The suspension system of  claim 11  wherein the air spring is coupled to a coupling bracket. 
     
     
       15. The energy storing suspension component of  claim 1  wherein the respective protrusions that the at least two spaced apart recesses in the energy storing suspension component are configured to receive extend from a separate suspension component above or below the axle seat portion of the energy storing suspension component.